Hip Hop is both a musical form and a set of cultural practices that includes rap music. Its genre is associated with the African American music of the 1980's and 1990's from which many different forms of rap have emerged. The rhyming lyrics are chanted in a sing song type voice to a musical accompaniment. The cultural aspect of Hip Hop is seen in the fashion, dance, speech and art associated with the music.http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0776052.html

The official birth date of hip hop is November 12, 1974.http://www.hiphop-history.org/history-of-hiphop/ It was first introduced in the Bronx, a section of New York City, by Clive Campbell a.k.a “Kool Herc”. In the beginning hip hop came from "old school" rock. Artists of this era that carried that "old school" sound were The Treacherous Three, Afrika Bambaataa, Fab 5 Freddy, Fat Boys, Grandmaster Flash, Furious Five.http://www.hiphop-history.org/history-of-hiphop/

As with all forms of music hip hop began to evolve, as it changed it was characterized by innovation and diversity. Lots of experimenting with the genre happened as hip hop matured and certain themes such as political militancy and Afrocentrism became popular. Public Enemy stands out as the leader of this time of growth along with ric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers and De La Soul.http://www.hiphop-history.org/history-of-hiphop/

One of the distinctive sounds of this type of music is known as "scratching". This sound was discovered accidentally by Grand Wizard Theodore when he tried to stop a running disc. Scratching is also known as "needle drop" or "shigi shigi".http://www.hiphop-history.org/history-of-hiphop/ Scratching is often called the core of hip hop and cannot be separated from it.

"Kool Herc" is recognized as the Father of Hip Hop. His house parties and contests became the rage that spread hip hop throughout the country. He incorporated sexual themes into his chanting to attract audiences. Gangsta Rap, a style with violence, terrorism, promiscuity, and drug use also came out of the hip hop experimentation. Hip hop is not only popular in the United States but is making it way all over the world and in different languages.

Hip hop dance, also known as break dancing, was born in the 1970's as well. It features such things as acrobatic moves and a frenetic style.

Hip Hop art sometimes known as graffiti, actually started in the 1960's and became a way for artists to express themselves. They painted on walls with bold colors, signing their names at the bottom of the art. As hip hop music exploded so did the art and it was seen every where, on subways, trains, and walls all over New York, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

Hip Hop fashion is a style of dress that incorporates baggy clothes, sun glasses, multiple rings, watches, necklaces of chains and gold, and custom sneakers. In the 1980’s Kani started the first ever hip hop clothing brand.http://www.hiphop-history.org/history-of-hiphop/ Tupac Shakur, a revered hip hop artist, and Carl Williams, introduced this type of clothing to the world.